THE FOREVER GODS

The more I study the mind and society, the more I am convinced the two are interlinked to a far greater extent than we realize. Indeed, not only this, but throughout our existence we have shared specific traits.
This is what I would call ‘universal psychology’. Carl Jung captured the concept in the ‘collective unconscious’, populated by ‘archetypes’, which appear to be specific personality fragments of the mind.

Such fragments appear in myth.

These are the great mythological beings. And this gives us a hint as to the connective ‘mechanism’ between mind and society. This mechanism is culture.
Of course, culture continually changes. But is this only on the surface? Could it be that, underneath specific cultural expression, there is a universality? I’m convinced there is, and it is continually expressed through religion.

This does, of course, suggest the universality is no more.

After all, we live in materialist, individualistic and atheistic times, so how can a universal psychology possibly continue into the cultural present?
Perhaps we need to clarify religion. Regardless whether a God, or gods, really exist, there must be an impulse within US that makes us believe, or accept, such deities. And regardless of religion, certain factors can be identified.

A deity has specific attributes.

It is ethereal. It is ‘higher’ than man, and omnipotent. It is controlling and gives favour. And it leads to actions in the form of monumental buildings and cultural control by media and hierarchy.
Place any form of rationality on the concept of a deity and it disappears. Hence, to believe requires a ‘leap of faith’, for it is an irrational concept. But can such a thing be seen at the heart of modern western culture today?

I think it can.

Whilst it isn’t in the form of a deity, let us consider the ‘credit’ behind modern wealth and consumerism. As it is the ‘engine’ through which commerce works, it is higher.
The way credit works means that it is ‘controlling’, as it is fundamental to your, and any company’s wealth. By having credit, you are given favour. And the biggest buildings in a modern city tends to be banks and trade centres.
And it is, of course, an engine of cultural control. Yet, although it exists on paper, if everyone was to repay what they owe, it would very quickly disappear. Thus, it is also irrational and ethereal.
Credit appears to be the new cultural God-form. In all its specific ‘qualities’ it is identical to the ‘mechanisms’ behind a deity. And thus it confirms that the deity-urge is still with us.
Yes, it is in very different cultural clothes. But existent nonetheless – and existent despite our urges towards materialism, individualism and atheism. Universal psychology, it seems, will out, regardless what we think, or believe, we are.

© Anthony North, May 2008